Dalton Smith survived a scare in Sheffield, and he already has a much bigger night in mind.
The WBC super lightweight champion retained his title against mandatory challenger Alberto Puello on Saturday at the Utilita Arena. Judges Kieran McCann and Jon Llona scored it 115-113 for Smith, while Ray Danseco had it 116-112 for Puello.
Smith told DAZN after the fight that he expected a tough night.
We knew it wasn’t going to be a show, he was going to be an awkward opponent, but a champion has to do what he has to do. These are the best in the world and I’m proving why I’m number one now.
He then turned his attention to Shakur Stevenson, the WBO champion at 140 pounds.
I have a lot of respect for Shakur. He’s one hell of a fighter. This takes me back to the Ricky Hatton and Mayweather days. We can build something good.
Hatton took thousands of British fans to Las Vegas to challenge Floyd Mayweather in 2007, and Mayweather stopped him in the 10th round. Smith wants the sequel on home soil, at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, made the same pitch to the crowd in the ring.
Let’s fill up Hillsborough. Let’s give Sheffield a fight and a night they’ll never forget.
Smith won the title earlier this year with a fifth-round stoppage of Subriel Matias. Stevenson took the WBO belt from Teofimo Lopez in January and is now a promotional free agent after leaving Zuffa Boxing.
No talks between the two sides have been announced.
